Credits Director : Ben Affleck Starring : Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman Our Score :

By Clint Morris

Having given us bad film after bad film, as well as transforming himself into a shit-don’t-stink-style fashion accessory for Jennifer Lopez, you’d think it’d take a miracle to put one-time Hollywood ‘it’ boy Ben Affleck (“Good Will Hunting”, “Armageddon”) back on top. Whoever knew directors had a direct line to God?

Affleck’s directorial debut, “Gone Baby Gone”, is one helluva effort – in short, it’s a miracle. The actor has turned what could’ve easily been developed as a fairly unremarkable telemovie – these things air all the time on Hallmark – into an emotion-drenched expedition into the human psyche. Set in Boston (Affleck’s stomping ground), it tells of two young private detectives (Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan) who are hired by a couple (Amy Madigan and Titus Welliver) to take a closer look at the mysterious disappearance of a little girl – their niece - and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. At the end of the day, the twosome sacrifices a hell of a lot to find – or do they? - the mislaid youngster.

Based on the book by Denis Lehane, “Gone Baby Gone” is both a topical - there’s a reason the UK distributor delayed the release, it’s eerily similar to the Madeline McCann case – and intriguing dinner-party movie… the kind of flick that ends with a question for the audience.

What a perfect movie for Affleck to kick off what should be a promising career as a director – something with rich performances (Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris play cops; both as good as ever); meticulously-written characters; an unpredictable and intriguing storyline (you won’t see it coming!) and the guts to go to places – this’ll keep you awake at night, but not for the usual reasons – that other films of this bloodline wouldn’t. What really works about the movie though is how well both Affleck boys – director Ben and star Casey, who is excellent by the way – know the surroundings in which their tale takes place; they know everyone lives out everyone’s pocket in Boston, they know how they act, but more so, they know how the Bostonians tick.

Look forward to the next one, Ben.

DVD extras (reportedly, haven’t viewed them) include a couple of fluffy featurettes, a commentary from Ben Affleck and writer Aaron Stockard, deleted scenes and an extended ending.